Floodplains by Design

FbD Operations Meeting
2023-08-15 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Los_Angeles)

FbD Operations Quarterly All Action Group Convening
2023-07-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-04-18 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-01-17 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-10-18 13:00 - 15:00
Contact Kas Guillozet at kguillozet@b-e-f.org for more information.

FbD Lunch & Learn Series – Cultural Resources Review
2023-07-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Another required and sometimes complex step in the permitting process for integrated floodplain management projects is cultural resources review. The Governor’s Executive Order (GEO) 21-02 (formerly 05-05) requires all state-funded construction or acquisition projects to consult with the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and affected tribes on the potential effects of projects on cultural resources. If you have federal funding, this requirement may fall under Section 106 the National Historic Preservation Act, which you can learn a little more about in our previous Lunch & Learn with the USACE in May. However, for state funded projects the DAHP has archaeologists and architectural historians available to provide technical assistance to agency and project proponents to help navigate the cultural resources review process under GEO 21-02.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, July 6th from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from DAHP’s Rob Whitlam, State Archaeologist and Maddie Levesque, Architectural Historian on partnering with DAHP during the GEO 21-02 review process.
This segment is the third installment of a multi-part Permitting Pathways series hosted through the Floodplains by Design Culture and Capacity Group. Please check out our website to see the slide decks and recordings on the Section 404 and 401 water quality certification processes: https://floodplainsbydesign.org/participate/culture-capacity/.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
2023-06-01 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Did you feel like we only scratched the surface on all things water quality certifications at last month’s Lunch & Learn? Are you wondering about the state’s role in the permitting process? The federal Clean Water Act grants states the authority to review and make a decision on proposed projects and actions directly affecting waters of the United States. In Washington, the Department of Ecology is a key organization responsible for the issuance of Section 401 water quality certifications and works directly with the USACE through the permitting process. Just like with the USACE, connecting early in your project process with regulatory staff at Ecology can help you plan and consider necessary design changes to help make your permitting process go smoothly.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, June 1st from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from Department of Ecology staff Loree Randall, Section 401 Policy Lead and Federal permit Unit Supervisor, and Erin Hanlon-Brown, Federal Permit Manager and Nationwide Permit Liaison on partnering with Ecology during the Section 401 review process.
Loree and Erin will be joined by Joshua Fleischmann – Natural Resources Specialist with the River & Flood Division of Whatcom County Public Works. Among his other duties, Joshua acts as the agent/applicant for Whatcom County River and Flood Capital projects subject to regulatory review. At the June Lunch & Learn, Joshua and the Ecology team will continue discussing the Cougar Creek project (featured during last month’s Lunch & Learn webinar) but now with an eye on efficiencies for getting through the Section 401 water quality certification process.
This segment is the second installment of a multi-part Permitting Pathways series that will wrap up with the July Lunch & Learn featuring staff from the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation presenting on the Governors Executive Order 21-02 cultural resource review process. If you have comments, questions, or even just frustrations with the permitting process you’d like to share, please submit them here and the backbone team will integrate them into our efforts to help streamline processes.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).
Zoom Login info: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094 Passcode: [REDACTED]

Funding & Policy Action Meeting - Q2
2023-05-31 09:00 - 11:00
We look forward to seeing you all at the next Floodplains by Design Funding and Policy Action Group (FPAG) meeting on May 31st from 9:00-11:00 AM. There has been a lot happening at the legislative, agency and community level related to increasing flood resilience as part of community planning so we have structured the following agenda to highlight the emerging items and implications for your work. The DRAFT agenda includes the following bullets. More information will be shared in the meeting packet at the end of next week.

Debrief on Puget Sound Day on the Hill – Ahren Stroming (Puget Sound Partnership)
Analysis and outcomes of the 2023 Legislative Session – Skippy Shaw (TNC)
Climate Planning Element of Comp Plan Guidance and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Funding – Valerie Smith (Dept. of Commerce)
Local funding and policy reflections following the 2021 floods in Whatcom County – Debra Johnson (Whatcom County)

Zoom Info: https://americanrivers-org.zoom.us/j/84980134297
EMD also recently shared an update on the State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan (SEHMP)process and new FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding opportunities that I wanted to pass along.
SEHMP Update:

The draft 2023 SEHMP has gone through a first round of review with FEMA R10. FEMA published an updated Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) policy last year, which went into effect on April 19, 2023. Although EMD funded and developed the SEHMP under the 2015 policy and submitted the draft for review before April 19, R10 decided that the plan must meet the new policy – which means there are a handful of revisions and changes that have to be made that were not expected. Fortunately, they are nothing that require rewriting the draft or re-doing analyses, so EMD is still confident that they will meet their deadline for approval of September 30.

HMA:

There is a new Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) round open for pre-applications right now. This round is related to DR-4682 (November 2022 floods/storms). A reminder that State agencies are eligible to apply for these funds. Click here for more info on the announcement. Pre-apps are due June 9.
The BRIC 23 announcement is expected by the end of summer/early fall, so EMD is starting to have conversations with State agency partners about project development. As always, EMD is looking for larger projects ($10+ million) that would be competitive nationally – that means lots of mitigation potential (good BCAs) while also addressing other concerns like social vulnerability, climate resilience, nature-based solutions, etc. If you have any ideas for a potential project, reach out to me and we can talk through it.

Please let Brandon Parsons (bparsons@americanrivers.org) know if you have any questions or if you have other ideas of timely topics to discuss.

2023 FbD Tribal Engagement Training
2023-05-17 12:00 - 14:00
Please contact jjaquery@b-e-f.org for more information.

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series - USACE Permitting - Pre-Application: What is it, how to use it and why?
2023-05-04 12:00 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2125469094
Did you know the USACE has a pre-application process, with a form you can access online, that can help you gain an understanding of the various permits and potential timelines you’ll need for your project? Neither did we! While permitting integrated floodplain management is challenging, connecting early in your project process with regulatory staff through this pre-app process can help you plan, consider necessary design changes earlier and budget better, hopefully reducing some of the stress associated with it.
Join us at the next FbD Lunch & Learn on Thursday, May 4th from 12pm – 1pm where we’ll hear from Evan Carnes, the Chief of the Columbia Basin Section for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Regulatory Branch. Among his other duties, Evan leads the Seattle District Regulatory Program’s ‘Restoration Project Permit Streamlining’ effort throughout the State of Washington and Evan will discuss some of those efforts.
Evan will be joined by Christina Schoenfelder – Engineering Supervisor for the River & Flood Division of Whatcom County Public Works. Among her other duties, she works directly with staff, consultant teams, and agency representatives to apply for permits and incorporate environmental mitigation at a project level. Christina filled out the aforementioned Pre-Application Information Request form and will chat with Evan about how to bring more ease into permitting complex integrated floodplain projects. The USACE project manager Christina has worked with successfully, but frequently informally, for years recently took another position. She’s excited to engage in a conversation about how a more institutionalized pre-application structure and process similar to her informal relationship built over years can help standardize the steps she’ll need to keep Whatcom’s projects moving forward.
This segment is the first in a multi-part Permitting Pathways series that will continue at the June and July Lunch & Learns. These conversations will help build toward a deeper dive presentation from Evan at an in-person FbD Convening in the fall. If you have comments, questions, or even just frustrations with the permitting process you’d like to share, please submit them here and the backbone team will integrate them into our efforts to help streamline processes.
As always, we welcome feedback and ideas for upcoming topics so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Lunch and Learn team: Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org), Carol MacIlroy (cmacilroy@gmail.com), Lisa Nelson, (lnel461@ecy.wa.gov) or Matt Gerlach, (mger461@ecy.wa.gov).

FbD Tribal Convening
2023-03-20 15:00 - 16:30
Please reach out to Bobby bobw@whitenergroup.biz or Kas kguillozet@b-e-f.org if you have any questions.

FbD Funding & Policy Action Group Meeting
2023-03-14 13:00 - 15:00
Please contact bparsons@americanrivers.org if interested!

Monthly Lunch & Learn Series
2023-03-02 12:00 - 13:00
On the first Thursday of every month, we host guest speakers to present on topics relevant and helpful to the FbD network. Use this Zoom link to join us, email Allan (awarren@b-e-f.org) to be added to the calendar invite, or visit the Culture & Capacity Action Group page to view past webinar recordings and materials.

FbD Lunch n Learn Series
2022-10-06 12:00 - 13:00
Contact Allan Warren at awarren@b-e-f.org to join us!

FbD Funding and Policy Action Group Meeting
2022-10-04 13:00 - 15:00
Contact Brandon Parsons at bparsons@americanrivers.org for more information.

FbD Operations Work Session
2022-10-04 13:00 - 14:00

FbD Operations Team Meeting
2022-09-27 13:00 - 16:00

Funding and Policy Meeting
2022-08-02 14:00 - 15:00
Meeting closed to the public.

Steering Group Meeting
2022-07-14 12:00 - 14:00
(Not open to public)

FbD DEIJ Meeting
2022-06-08 14:00 - 15:30
(Invite only, contact randerson@b-e-f.org for more information)

FbD Tribal Panel
2022-06-08 10:00 - 12:00
The FbD Culture and Capacity Action Group is hosting an opportunity for a unique conversation with Tribal leaders from across Washington. This two hours virtual panel will provide an opportunity for floodplain professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the multi-dimensionalities of tribal governments, tribal people and communities across Washington to promote cross-cultural learning and sharing. We are incredibly honored to welcome our guest panelists:
Chairman W. Ron Allen- Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe
Chairwoman Kat Brigham- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Paul Ward- Director Of Intergovernmental Affairs at Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission
Dave Herrera- Skokomish Tribe Fisheries Policy Advisor
Shawn Yanity- Former Stillaguamish Chairman and Tribal Fisheries Manager
DR Michel- Upper Columbia United Tribes
The Whitener Group, a tribally owned consultant team, will be facilitating the panel and discussion.
Click here to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the zoom meeting.

Managing Subcontracts: Lunch n Learn
2022-06-02 12:00 - 12:55
It’s construction season and the short fish window many
partners face for implementation is just around the
corner. Come join us for a conversation with partners
around the state to discuss ways to manage consultant
contracts in ways that are mutually helpful and reduce
work burdens. We’ll cover subcontracts such as:
• Construction
• Geospatial
• Modeling
• Design
• Community Engagement
Email Allan at awarren@b-e-f.org if you would like to learn
more or to be added to the Lunch & Learn email list.

Funding & Policy Action Group Meeting
2022-05-25 09:00 - 11:00
(Not open to public, contact bparsons@americanrivers.org for more information)

Lunch & Learn: Unexpected Challenges and How to Overcome Them
2022-03-03 12:00 - 13:00
The Culture & Capacity Action Group is pleased to announce that we’re launching a new, monthly Lunch & Learn Series on March 3rd.

About this event

The Floodplains by Design Culture & Capacity Action Group* is pleased to announce that we’re launching a new, monthly Lunch & Learn Series on March 3rd from 12pm – 1pm. The first topic we’ll cover is: Unexpected Challenges and How to Overcome Them. Come hear three Floodplains by Design practitioners share stories about unexpected challenges they’ve encountered implementing projects, and how they worked their way through it. You will then be invited in a small group to share an unexpected challenge you faced and how you navigated it and hear from your colleagues.
The new Culture and Capacity Lunch & Learn Series will focus for the next six months on project and program management challenges, tools to make management more efficient, and processes to help build trust within the integrated floodplain management framework. Each month starting in March, we will host a 1-hour informal virtual meeting over lunch, featuring speakers from various FbD projects across the state as well as outside experts.
If you want to learn more about the Lunch & Learn Series, sign up, or share ideas for upcoming topics, please contact Allan Warren (awarren@b-e-f.org),or Carol Macilroy, (cmacilroy@gmail.com).
Thu Mar 3, 2022 12pm – 1pm Pacific Time – Los Angeles
*The Culture and Capacity Action Group works to nurture and develop skills and capacity across the Floodplains by Design network to implement Integrated Floodplain Management

FbD Culture & Capacity Team Meeting
2022-01-25 10:00 - 12:00
Contact Heather Cole at heather.cole@tnc.org for more information.

Increasing Efficiency in Permitting Ecol. Restoration in Flood Hazard Areas, Webinar 2
2021-12-15 12:00
Increasing Efficiency in Permitting Ecol. Restoration in Flood Hazard Areas, webinar 2 – Where might there be flexibility in permitting systems (e.g. via interpretation or additional support) to address challenges in the mid-term?
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/increasing-efficiency-in-permitting-ecol-restoration-in-flood-hazard-areas-tickets-202642357747

Steering Group Meeting
2021-12-10 11:00 - 14:00

Increasing Efficiency in Permitting Ecol. Restoration in Flood Hazard Areas, Webinar 1
2021-12-02 11:00 - 12:30
Increasing Efficiency in Permitting Ecol. Restoration in Flood Hazard Areas, Webinar 1- Context Setting: Where are we now?
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/increasing-efficiency-in-permitting-ecol-restoration-in-flood-hazard-areas-tickets-202642357747

Noticing and Sharing Change: The Work to Integrate Fish, Farms and Flood
2021-06-10 09:00 - 10:30
Shifting a paradigm is a quiet transformation. Over the last 5 years we have changed the way we are looking at our floodplains, through a holistic lens rather than a siloed approach. And in each watershed across Washington we are noticing what is changing, taking our own steps into tailored locally driven solutions. In some cases it is a big win and other cases it is incremental change that has the biggest impact. Sometimes it is a failure or a lack of progress that captures our attention. Join us for 90 minutes of exploring these observations and learnings, drawing from experiences, stories and insights from local practitioners. We hope to explore at two levels:

What are you noticing (big, small+incremental and/or struggles) as a result of your IFM work?
What meaning do you make of those changes? What steps do you take or do you want to take to address, nurture or engage with others around these changes?

An ambitious agenda for sure, but one that has relevance for every practitioner as well as our collective work.
Register Here!

Exploring Equity: Shifting our practices to center equity.
2021-06-09 09:30 - 11:00
Now more than ever, people are taking time in their incredibly busy lives to understand how our work and communities can be more equitable. This workshop will explore concepts of equity and how using an equity-lens can further improve our work, enrich our discussions, and help us have deeper impact. Fara Mahesri and Nancy White will co-lead this important and timely conversation.
Register here.
